"18 Wheels of Steel"

"18 Wheels of Steel" is a professionally produced program about the largest operating steam locomotive in the world - Norfolk & Western Class 'A' #1218. The N&W's mighty class 'A' locomotives were among the largest and most powerful steam locomotives ever built. These huge 2-6-6-4s were surpassed in size only by the C&O's Allegheny and the Union Pacific's "Big Boys". In late April, 1987, the Blue Ridge Mountains once again reverberated with the sound of a 4 cylinder steam locomotive, as the 1218 worked the grades of the Pocahontas Division. In "18 Wheels of Steel" you'll see the 1218 in scores of beautiful runbys, aerial shots and cab scenes - all in beautiful color and synchronized natural sound - as she runs her inaugural trips out of Roanoke, Virginia. You'll hear her exhaust drift in and out of sync as she climbs Christiansburg Hill. You'll watch as Frank Collins handles the whistle cord to sound the famous N&W "hooter" single chime whistle. You'll see her from the air in glass-smooth tracking shots as we pace this magnificent machine across the Virginia Piedmont. The New River was out of its banks and the rain continued to fall as we shot the engine on the way to Bluefield, West Virginia. The weather conditions provided us with some dramatic images of steam not possible on a sunny day. In stark contrast, on the Sunday trip to Lynchburg, the sun shone and blue sky was everywhere! To top it all off, you'll see the classic railroad "runover shot" not once - but twice! "18 Wheels of Steel" is a fitting tribute to the N&W's best steam freight power - the mighty Class 'A'. Produced & Directed by Richard P. Melvin Cover Photo by Allen Keller Description taken from cassette box. This video is not intended for monetary gain. It is upload for the sole purpose of preserving VHS tapes before they deteriorate beyond usability. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Hopewell Productions. ©1987